Tomato, the only vegetable-fruit, virtually vanished from Dimapur for a the past few days.When contacted DMC advisory members disclosed that vendors were profiteering by selling the item at Purana Bazar and Chumukedima markets where the rates are higher than that fixed by the DMC for Dimapur. DMC advisory members said the rate fixed was -wholesale at Rs.23 per kg and retail at Rs.28 per kg, which were done after consultation with vendors adding there was no issue over rate fixation. A vendor when contacted said tomato scarcity arose due to prolonged bandhs in Assam but that from Thursday onwards, would be available in Dimapur markets. Vendors admitted that higher rates in markets outside the DMC jurisdiction could have made some vendors to transport stocks to those markets. In this regard, DMC market rate control cell Advisor Atovi Zhimomi disclosed that a meeting with Adhoc Town Council Purana Bazaar and Chumukedima Town Council will be held. He also cautioned vendors found indulging in malpractices will be penalized as per the law.